How to Keep a Dishwasher From Tilting Forward When the Door Is Opened

Keep your dishwasher stable.

A dishwasher that tilts forward every time you open the door can become a nuisance. When you load or unload the dishwasher, the bottom dish rack usually sits on the open door. If the dishwasher has a tendency to tilt forward, gravity can cause a loaded bottom dish rack to roll off the door and onto the floor, possibly damaging the dishes or your flooring. Inspect your dishwasher to ensure it's connected to your countertop correctly and replace any missing parts.

1

Open the dishwasher door. Look for two brackets that connect the dishwasher frame to the underside of the counter top. The brackets connect to the dishwasher frame and are held to the counter top with wood screws. If the screws are missing, use a level to ensure the dishwasher is level horizontally and vertically. Use a drill to drive a No. 10 1/2-inch wood screw through each bracket and in the underside of the counter top to stabilize the dishwasher. If the brackets are missing, they must be replaced.

2

Unplug the power cord to the dishwasher or turn off the breaker to the unit if you need to replace the brackets. Carefully pull the dishwasher out from underneath the counter top about 4 inches to access the bracket installation area. Insert new mounting brackets into the slots along the top of the dishwasher frame. Use needle-nose pliers to bend the bracket locking tabs down, securing the brackets in the frame. Push the dishwasher back beneath the counter top, reconnect the electricity and install the screws as described previously.

3

Repair the screw holes beneath the counter top if you cannot tighten the bracket screws because the screw holes are stripped. Insert wooden toothpicks into the screw holes. Break off the toothpicks, so they are flush with the underside of the counter top. Squeeze wood glue into the toothpick-filled screw holes. Let the wood glue dry overnight. Screw the brackets to the counter top with the original screws (or use new screws of the same length but with a slightly larger diameter), driving the screws into your repaired screw holes.

About the Author

Cecilia Harsch has been writing professionally since 2009. She writes mainly home improvement, health and travel articles for various online publications. She has several years of experience in the home-improvement industry, focusing on gardening, and a background in group exercise instruction. Harsch received her Certified Nurses Assistant license in 2004. She attended Tarrant County College and studied English composition.